Choosing the Best Long Distance Moving Company

8 months ago

You wouldn’t hire just anyone off the street to move your household across the country, you’re clear on that much — but how exactly does one find the best long distance moving companies amidst all the options listed online? They all claim they’re the best, so it’s best to have a solid checklist of criteria that can help you weed out the riff-raff and find a team of long distance movers who will make your move an enjoyable process. Here is what you should be looking for.

Are your movers an established, experienced company?

The best long distance movers didn’t get that way overnight – they have spent years fine-tuning their process, training their staff, and getting those early “learning mistakes” out of the way. When it comes to interstate moves, there are quite a few more details that a company needs to consider that aren’t involved in a local move. Crossing state borders, for one, requires additional licenses and paperwork. Your belongings also have further to travel, so the company must be certain that everything is well secured and stable for the haul. Don’t leave your move up to newbies!

Are your movers licensed and insured?

This should be a no-brainer, but the best national moving companies should be able to quickly and easily provide proof of their licensure and insurance with zero runaround. You can check a mover’s license on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s website, but you shouldn’t need to do that research yourself. Ideally, the company has their FMCSA license number displayed in plain sight and offers you a full explanation of their insurance and options for additional insurance when you request your quote.

A verbal estimate holds no weight in the world of moving services, so when comparing the costs associated with each long distance moving company, make sure you know that you’re comparing apples to apples. The best-rated cross country moving companies are clear and transparent about the cost of moving long distance and provide a line by line breakdown of what they are quoting. Your movers want to just give you a number without telling you what it includes? Time to look elsewhere.

Is your mover well-reviewed?

Good service inspires good reviews, so look for an interstate moving company that has a good track record according to their customers. The FMCSA website will offer safety reviews, and the Better Business Bureau, Yelp, and these days even Google will provide customer experience information. Keep in mind that no company can escape a bad review or two, but they shouldn’t be the majority!

Look for any other red flags!

Planning a long distance move doesn’t seem like it should be so complicated, but unfortunately, there are those who would take advantage of your logistical needs to scam you. Be wary of any company that requires a cash or an unusually large deposit prior to the move, particularly if they ask it to be wired online. Steer clear of companies that don’t have an accessible record of business, show up in a rental truck or unmarked vehicle, or who insist on doing all planning and business over the phone. Make sure all communications, commitments, and payments can be easily tracked!